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4/27/2025, 5:56:28 AM
>>49327516
The idea that all youkai must consume human flesh to survive is a misconception, especially within the context of modern Gensokyo. While predation was more common before the Great Hakurei Barrier (the forming of 'modern' Gensokyo) and the Spell Card Rules, many youkai species sustain themselves through entirely different means. Youkai who don't know of the rules (due to being feral, being too uninformed or being newly born) aren't expected to uphold the status quo, and thus, might eat humans (if their hunts succeed). It mostly depends.
Kogasa, a karakasa obake (umbrella tsukumogami), feeds on human surprise or fear. Tsukumogami, being born from discarded objects, often seek relevance, attention, or vengeance related to their past treatment. Their sustenance is tied to emotional responses or fulfilling the purpose implied by their legend (like Kogasa trying to spook people). They don't need physical flesh in the usual depictions.
Nue Houjuu, who also stays under the Myouren Temple's roofs, is similar. A Nue (at least based on her) thrives on ambiguity and confusion. Her ability makes things unidentifiable, causing unease or fear derived from the unknown. She sustains herself on this conceptual disruption. But since she's more ancient, it's unknown if she is capable of (or if she needs) physical consumption or not.
Someone outside of the Myouren Temple altogether is Urumi Ushizaki, who has a legitimate business at the Sanzu running a renowned fishery concerning prehistoric fish (canon). Based on the more bloody legend she came from, though she was once a fearsome youkai who attacked humans, she now leads a peaceful life. She might sometimes turn lost travelers back from the river, serving as an outer perimeter guard. She sees this duty as a civic responsibility to turn foolish individuals back before they meet a worse fate.
Assigning human D&D-style "alignments" to Gensokyo residents is tricky. Morality is highly contextual and often based on maintaining the balance between humans and youkai, upholding traditions, and adhering (even loosely) to the Spell Card Rules. Many youkai simply act according to their inherent nature. A fear-eating youkai needs to incite fear; a trickster youkai needs to pull pranks. This isn't necessarily "evil" in their context, just fulfilling their existential role (like animals serving as prey and predator in an ecosystem). The greatest "sin" is often upsetting the delicate balance. Youkai range from those actively seeking coexistence (like the Myouren Temple crew, allegedly) to those indifferent to humans unless provoked to those who might still pose a threat if encountered outside safe zones (though outright killing is heavily discouraged and punished).
Kogasa is driven by a Tsukumogami's need for relevance and attention after being discarded. Her desire to be useful (blacksmithing) points towards integration rather than destruction. She has prankster tendencies (attempting scares) but is ultimately harmless and even pitiable when she fails. She also engages positively with humans through her craft. She most definitely leans toward Good (by youkai standards).
>>49327580
Remilia and Flandre being useless NEETs is one of their charm points.
The idea that all youkai must consume human flesh to survive is a misconception, especially within the context of modern Gensokyo. While predation was more common before the Great Hakurei Barrier (the forming of 'modern' Gensokyo) and the Spell Card Rules, many youkai species sustain themselves through entirely different means. Youkai who don't know of the rules (due to being feral, being too uninformed or being newly born) aren't expected to uphold the status quo, and thus, might eat humans (if their hunts succeed). It mostly depends.
Kogasa, a karakasa obake (umbrella tsukumogami), feeds on human surprise or fear. Tsukumogami, being born from discarded objects, often seek relevance, attention, or vengeance related to their past treatment. Their sustenance is tied to emotional responses or fulfilling the purpose implied by their legend (like Kogasa trying to spook people). They don't need physical flesh in the usual depictions.
Nue Houjuu, who also stays under the Myouren Temple's roofs, is similar. A Nue (at least based on her) thrives on ambiguity and confusion. Her ability makes things unidentifiable, causing unease or fear derived from the unknown. She sustains herself on this conceptual disruption. But since she's more ancient, it's unknown if she is capable of (or if she needs) physical consumption or not.
Someone outside of the Myouren Temple altogether is Urumi Ushizaki, who has a legitimate business at the Sanzu running a renowned fishery concerning prehistoric fish (canon). Based on the more bloody legend she came from, though she was once a fearsome youkai who attacked humans, she now leads a peaceful life. She might sometimes turn lost travelers back from the river, serving as an outer perimeter guard. She sees this duty as a civic responsibility to turn foolish individuals back before they meet a worse fate.
Assigning human D&D-style "alignments" to Gensokyo residents is tricky. Morality is highly contextual and often based on maintaining the balance between humans and youkai, upholding traditions, and adhering (even loosely) to the Spell Card Rules. Many youkai simply act according to their inherent nature. A fear-eating youkai needs to incite fear; a trickster youkai needs to pull pranks. This isn't necessarily "evil" in their context, just fulfilling their existential role (like animals serving as prey and predator in an ecosystem). The greatest "sin" is often upsetting the delicate balance. Youkai range from those actively seeking coexistence (like the Myouren Temple crew, allegedly) to those indifferent to humans unless provoked to those who might still pose a threat if encountered outside safe zones (though outright killing is heavily discouraged and punished).
Kogasa is driven by a Tsukumogami's need for relevance and attention after being discarded. Her desire to be useful (blacksmithing) points towards integration rather than destruction. She has prankster tendencies (attempting scares) but is ultimately harmless and even pitiable when she fails. She also engages positively with humans through her craft. She most definitely leans toward Good (by youkai standards).
>>49327580
Remilia and Flandre being useless NEETs is one of their charm points.
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